St. Vincent de Paul – A brief history

Resurrection Conference

Resurrection Conference started in 1997 meeting monthly in the Fireside Room, much as we do today with over 40 members. The fellowship today stems from those before us at Resurrection Parish with the desire for a ministry to the poor and those who need service and support during difficult times without judgment.

Resurrection Conference Founding Members:

Frank Kalinowski

Sandra Kalinowski

Bonnie LaCesa

Genevieve LaCesa

Guy LaCesa

We want to extend our appreciation to Father Richard Rossman. In 1979, as Resurrection Conference was just beginning he generously provided one-half the proceeds of the parish’s spaghetti dinner as the seed funds for the new SVdP conference at Resurrection Parish. With his support and the efforts of the founding members, Resurrection Conference started on its’ way to support of those in need in the community.

Ellie Clang – 2015 SVdP Portland Council Vincentian of the Year Award Winner

Ellie was recognized for her outstanding commitment to leading the Resurrection Conference Thanksgiving Day Food Box Program.

Society History

On November 20, 1845 a group of the most prominent people of St. Louis society convened the first official meeting of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul (SVdP). Here, they struck a spark, beginning a ministry to the poor that continues to work to this day.

It all started when Frédéric Ozanam founded the SVdP in Paris, France in 1833. Shortly afterward, John Timon, C.M., an American Vincentian priest, learned about the good works of the Ozanam group and managed to bring a translated copy of the Society’s Rule to St. Louis, Missouri. Reverend Timon staunchly advocated the virtues of the Society to his Bishop, Peter Kenrick. The Bishop astutely recognized that the SVdP was just the ticket for both the promotion of faith and in the satisfaction of the spiritual and material needs of the poor in his congregation. He appointed Reverend Ambrose Heim, already known as the Priest of the Poor, Spiritual Advisor to this first Conference (chapter), which met at the Old Cathedral.

Founders

Blessed Frederic Ozanam (1813 – 1853) was founder of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. Frederic was a husband and father, professor and servant of the Blessed Frederic Ozanam (1813 – 1853) was founder of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. Frederic was a husband and father professor and servant of the poor. He founded the Society of St. Vincent de Paul as a young student with others of the Sorbonne in Paris. Sister Rosalie Rendu, a Daughter of Charity, is considered a mentor of Frederic and of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul as she taught the first members the art of helping the poor and the sick. Frederic’s writings on social justice anticipated the first social encyclical of our modern times, Rerum Novarum.

St. Louise de Marillac (1591 – 1660), a contemporary of St. Vincent, was inspired and directed by Vincent’s spiritual leadership. She was Vincent’s collaborator in founding the Daughters of Charity and organizing hospitals for the sick poor, asylums for the orphaned, workshops for the unemployed, championing literacy for the uneducated, and establishing standards for local charities. Louise was a wife, mother, teacher, nurse, social worker and religious foundress.

Patron

St. Vincent de Paul (1581-1660) was founder of the Congregation of the Mission, Daughters of Charity, Confraternities of Charity, and Ladies of Charity. A man of deep faith, keen intellect, and enormous creativity, he has become known as the “The Apostle of Charity” and “Father of the Poor.” His contributions to the training of priests and organizing parish missions and other services for the poor shaped our Church’s role in the modern world.